• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, May 6, 2025

Once, in a federal court in Boston, a young clerk asked, “What do you need this for?” when I requested the file on a small commercial lawsuit I was covering. 

This was unprecedented. My blood pressure rising, I explained that I was entitled to see these documents as a citizen and a member of the press. Someone got me the papers, and I felt I had struck a blow for the First Amendment.  

Oh, you fool. That little skirmish was nothing compared to the ones now facing reporters pursuing serious stories about local governments.

A new study: the Collier Prize State of Accountability Journalism, found that the greatest challenges for  journalists doing this work are:

• Limited access to records or sources—69% 
• Delays, denials, and excessive costs of public records request—55% 
• Difficulty securing interviews or comments—44%

Of course, there are many other obstacles.  Of the journalists polled, 73% say tight budgets and limited resources make it harder to pursue accountability work.  

In addition, 27% state that political pressure creates hesitation around certain stories. Moreover, growing hostility toward journalists discourages accountability reporting.  

Despite all that, 44% of newsrooms continue to prioritize accountability reporting, even with fewer resources and more risk.  

How committed are they to accountability journalism? They say: 

• Government accountability is a core focus of their newsrooms work—53% 
• Organization somewhat prioritizes accountability, but it often takes a back seat to other priorities—38%
• Investigative work isn’t prioritized enough—9% 
• Newsroom places almost no emphasis on accountability—0%

Decisions on what to cover in this realm are based on several factors. The percentages reflect those ranking each consideration as No. 1: 

• Societal or political impact—53% 
• Editorial interest or leadership priorities—23% 
• Potential for audience engagement—17%
• Competitive advantage over other outlets—6% 

In general, the media environment is changing, and this is influence how investigative reports gets done—if at all. The respondents say: 

• Accountability journalism is struggling to reach broader audiences and maintain its impact—33% 
• The rise of new formats like podcasts and social media is shifting focus away from traditional watchdog work—22%
• Threat of legal action as a reason some outlets are more cautious about pursuing investigations—16% 

The Collier Prize for State Government Accountability surveyed 51 respondents who work at large state or regional news organizations in March 2025.